Effect of closure models on Eulerian–Eulerian gas–solid flow predictions in riser

An Assessment of Drag Models in Eulerian–Eulerian CFD Simulation of Gas–Solid Flow Hydrodynamics in Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser

Accurate prediction of the hydrodynamic profile is important for circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor design and scale-up. Multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with interphase momentum exchange is key to accurately predict the gas-solid profile along the height of the riser. The present work deals with the assessment of six different drag model capability to accurately predict the riser section axial solid holdup distribution in bench scale circulating fluidized bed. The difference between six drag model predictions were validated against the experiment data. Two-dimensional geometry, transient solver and Eulerian–Eulerian multiphase models were used. Six drag model simulation predictions were discussed with respect to axial and radial profile. The comparison between CFD simulation and experimental data shows that the Syamlal-O’Brien, Gidaspow, Wen-Yu and Huilin-Gidaspow drag models were successfully able to predict the riser upper section solid holdup distribution with better accuracy, however unable to predict the solid holdup transition region. On the other hand, the Gibilaro model and Helland drag model were successfully able to predict the bottom dense region, but the upper section solid holdup distribution was overpredicted. The CFD simulation comparison of different drag model has clearly shown the limitation of the drag model to accurately predict overall axial heterogeneity with accuracy.

Comparison of Euler-Euler and Euler-Lagrange Approaches for Simulating Gas-Solid Flows in a Multiple-Spouted Bed

In this work, a comparative study of Euler-Euler and Euler-Lagrange approaches for modeling gas-solid flows in the multiple-spouted bed has been carried out to investigate the hydrodynamics of gas-solid flows. The influence of inlet gas velocity on the hydrodynamics of gas-solid flows in the multiple-spouted bed is investigated as well. Hydrodynamic characteristics of gas-solid flows such as flow behaviors, solid volume fraction, particle velocity and particle trajectory are analyzed and discussed in detail, providing some basic mechanism analysis of the gas-solids in the multiple-spouted bed. It is found that the central spout gas jet is a little confined by the auxiliary gas jets, and the hole-to-hole synergy is quite obvious when the auxiliary spout gas velocity is higher than the central spout gas velocity. When central/auxiliary gas velocity is 10/20 m/s, the maximum vertical particle velocities predicted by Euler-Euler and Euler-Lagrange approaches are 452 mm/s and 721 mm/s at the height of 10 mm respectively. A typical cycle period of a single particle is about 1.25 s, and the residence time in the spout regions is about 0.14 s in one cycle period in auxiliary dominant pattern. The curves of bed expansion height versus time calculated by Euler-Lagrange approach rise and fall periodically, while the curves calculated by Euler-Euler approach keep steady with little change. It is much easier for particles to be blew in the multiple-spouted bed using the Euler-Lagrange approach. The simulation results obtained from two models can provide some guidance for modifying the multiple-spouted bed to optimize physical operations such as drying and coating in the multiple-spouted bed.

Experimental and Numerical Investigations on Heat Transfer of Bare Tubes in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed with Respect to Better Heat Integration in Temperature Swing Adsorption Systems

In this paper experimental and numerical investigations on heat transfer within a bubbling fluidized bed will be presented with respect to better heat integration in continuous temperature swing adsorption (TSA) processes for biogas upgrading. In the literature, mainly heat transfer measurements with glass or sand particles are carried out, thus special reference measurements with adsorbent material in a fluidized bed are missing. Therefore firstly, a series of experiments were carried out in the fluidized bed test facility to obtain heat transfer coefficients between tube surface and bed which were then compared to calculated heat transfer coefficients to determine whether suitable models were available. Horizontal bare tubes with different arrangements (i.e., single tubes and especially tube bundles) are immersed in fluidized amine layered particles with a mean diameter of 650 μ m which are used in the adsorption industry as adsorbent. The test facility enables a cross-current flow of the solids and gas phase as it prevails in a multi-stage fluidized bed reactor for TSA-applications. The heat transfer measurements with different arrangements and adsorbent material show very similar values in the range of 200 W/m 2 K. The mathematical model for single tubes multiplied by a tube diameter factor shows approximate agreement with the experimental results. However, the mathematical models for tube bundles were not able to predict the measured heat transfer coefficients with the required accuracy. Secondly, a computer fluid dynamics (CFD) program was used to perform a numerical investigation of the test facility using the Euler–Euler method in order to describe the required two-phase characteristic of a fluidized bed. The results of the numerical simulation were compared and validated with the experimental results. Bubbling fluidized bed flow regimes could be reproduced well but the heat transfer coefficients between tube and bed were clearly underestimated. However, a numerical study for a bubbling fluidized bed with external circulation, as used in novel continuous TSA systems, could be carried out and thus a tool for better heat integration measures was developed.